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News on Japan, Business News, Opinion, Sports, Entertainment and MoreTue, 03 Mar 2015 20:57:00 +0000en-UShourly1Success after skating: Nakano’s determination rewardedhttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2015/02/24/figure-skating/success-skating-nakanos-determination-rewarded/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=success-skating-nakanos-determination-rewarded
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2015/02/24/figure-skating/success-skating-nakanos-determination-rewarded/#commentsTue, 24 Feb 2015 12:50:46 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=723284This marks the 100th installment of Ice Time. To commemorate the milestone we have a special interview with retired star Yukari Nakano, who is currently a director in the Sports Division at Fuji TV.

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2015/02/24/figure-skating/success-skating-nakanos-determination-rewarded/feed/0Orser says Hanyu back in training, working on quadshttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2015/02/06/figure-skating/orser-says-hanyu-back-in-training-working-on-quads/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=orser-says-hanyu-back-in-training-working-on-quads
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2015/02/06/figure-skating/orser-says-hanyu-back-in-training-working-on-quads/#commentsFri, 06 Feb 2015 11:52:25 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=713281Brian Orser, the coach of 2014 Olympic and world champion Yuzuru Hanyu continues to be the best quote in the business. The man who led Yuna Kim to the gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Games always speaks the unvarnished truth and provides unique insight into the complex world of skating. Time and again I […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2015/02/06/figure-skating/orser-says-hanyu-back-in-training-working-on-quads/feed/0Will Murakami ever realize full potential?http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2015/01/09/figure-skating/will-murakami-ever-realize-full-potential/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=will-murakami-ever-realize-full-potential
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2015/01/09/figure-skating/will-murakami-ever-realize-full-potential/#commentsFri, 09 Jan 2015 11:10:43 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=697492It remains one of the great mysteries of Japanese skating. An athlete who seemingly has all of the physical ability and presentation skills to be one of the very best in the world, but can’t get over the final hurdle when it counts. • She was the world junior champion in 2010. • She is […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2015/01/09/figure-skating/will-murakami-ever-realize-full-potential/feed/0Machida’s decision to quit both selfish and untimelyhttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2015/01/02/figure-skating/machidas-decision-quit-selfish-untimely/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=machidas-decision-quit-selfish-untimely
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2015/01/02/figure-skating/machidas-decision-quit-selfish-untimely/#commentsFri, 02 Jan 2015 11:11:41 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=693795Tatsuki Machida’s sudden retirement at the Japan nationals in Nagano last week came as a shock to just about everybody. In the ensuing days, there has been a lot of conjecture about his motivations and the timing of his announcement. No matter how you slice it, however, the move was a very selfish one. Why […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2015/01/02/figure-skating/machidas-decision-quit-selfish-untimely/feed/10Ina Bauer gone, but move lives onhttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/12/23/figure-skating/ina-bauer-gone-move-lives/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ina-bauer-gone-move-lives
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/12/23/figure-skating/ina-bauer-gone-move-lives/#commentsTue, 23 Dec 2014 11:02:10 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=688089A significant figure in the world of skating passed away earlier this month with nary a mention in the mainstream media. It was both sad and a reminder of how quickly history can be forgotten. Her name is uttered by television announcers at least once at almost all major competitions, and it was made famous […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/12/23/figure-skating/ina-bauer-gone-move-lives/feed/0Hanyu reasserts dominance with Grand Prix Final winhttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/12/16/figure-skating/hanyu-reasserts-dominance-grand-prix-final-win/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hanyu-reasserts-dominance-grand-prix-final-win
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/12/16/figure-skating/hanyu-reasserts-dominance-grand-prix-final-win/#commentsTue, 16 Dec 2014 11:32:39 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=684483Olympic and world champion Yuzuru Hanyu showed he has regained both his form and confidence with his dominating victory at the Grand Prix Final in Barcelona, Spain, on Saturday. Exactly six weeks to the day of his unfortunate collison with Yan Han at the Cup of China, Hanyu blew away his competition with a sublime […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/12/16/figure-skating/hanyu-reasserts-dominance-grand-prix-final-win/feed/0Gold’s motive for GP Final pullout in questionhttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/12/09/figure-skating/golds-motive-gp-final-pullout-question/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=golds-motive-gp-final-pullout-question
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/12/09/figure-skating/golds-motive-gp-final-pullout-question/#commentsTue, 09 Dec 2014 10:33:02 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=680508When you grow up in a country or culture, you can usually tell when somebody from the same place or background is being insincere. The tone of voice and body language often give them away. This is how I felt at the recent NHK Trophy in Osaka when American Gracie Gold spoke to the media […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/12/09/figure-skating/golds-motive-gp-final-pullout-question/feed/8Kato made impact in first outing at senior Grand Prixhttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/12/02/figure-skating/kato-made-impact-first-outing-senior-grand-prix/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kato-made-impact-first-outing-senior-grand-prix
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/12/02/figure-skating/kato-made-impact-first-outing-senior-grand-prix/#commentsTue, 02 Dec 2014 09:30:49 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=676506Though the spotlight at the NHK Trophy was on the return to the ice of injured Olympic and world champion Yuzuru Hanyu and the battle for spots in the Grand Prix Final, the performance of Riona Kato was a revelation. The 16-year-old finished a very respectable fifth in her senior GP debut, moving up from […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/12/02/figure-skating/kato-made-impact-first-outing-senior-grand-prix/feed/0Grand Prix Final places on line at NHK Trophyhttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/11/25/figure-skating/grand-prix-final-places-line-nhk-trophy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=grand-prix-final-places-line-nhk-trophy
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/11/25/figure-skating/grand-prix-final-places-line-nhk-trophy/#commentsTue, 25 Nov 2014 10:37:56 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=672283Yuzuru Hanyu’s expected return to the ice won’t be the only drama unfolding this week in the NHK Trophy at Osaka’s Namihaya Dome, where spots in the Grand Prix Final will also be on the line. Hanyu, the Olympic and world champion, who was injured in an unfortunate collision with Yan Han at the Cup […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/11/25/figure-skating/grand-prix-final-places-line-nhk-trophy/feed/0Hongo’s rise illustrates depth of Japan’s talent poolhttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/11/18/figure-skating/hongos-rise-illustrates-depth-japans-talent-pool/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hongos-rise-illustrates-depth-japans-talent-pool
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/11/18/figure-skating/hongos-rise-illustrates-depth-japans-talent-pool/#commentsTue, 18 Nov 2014 11:24:50 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=668568Japan’s strong showing in the Grand Prix season continued with Rika Hongo’s victory at the Cup of Russia on Saturday. Hongo’s triumph marked the third time in four weeks that Japan has taken the gold at one of the GP events. Tatsuki Machida (Skate America) and Takahito Mura (Skate Canada) won the opening two weekends, […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/11/18/figure-skating/hongos-rise-illustrates-depth-japans-talent-pool/feed/0Hanyu looks to continue strong start by Japan menhttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/11/04/figure-skating/hanyu-looks-continue-strong-start-japan-men/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hanyu-looks-continue-strong-start-japan-men
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/11/04/figure-skating/hanyu-looks-continue-strong-start-japan-men/#commentsTue, 04 Nov 2014 10:53:06 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=660626Often the campaign following an Olympic season can be a letdown. Some skaters retire (Daisuke Takahashi, Akiko Suzuki), others chose to sit out (Mao Asada, Patrick Chan), and some don’t quite have the same motivation that drives them when the quadrennial event is on the calendar. But any thoughts of a malaise in Japan were […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/11/04/figure-skating/hanyu-looks-continue-strong-start-japan-men/feed/0Cost, travel, time no object for one passionate skating fanhttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/09/23/figure-skating/cost-travel-time-object-one-passionate-skating-fan/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cost-travel-time-object-one-passionate-skating-fan
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/09/23/figure-skating/cost-travel-time-object-one-passionate-skating-fan/#commentsTue, 23 Sep 2014 10:16:58 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=636890One of the most rewarding aspects of being a sportswriter is the many opportunities you have to interact with athletes, coaches, executives and fans while covering events. I have been fortunate to have done this all over the world and encountered some very interesting people along the way. While I was attending the Aichi Junior […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/09/23/figure-skating/cost-travel-time-object-one-passionate-skating-fan/feed/0Sotnikova to headline field at NHK Trophyhttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/07/08/figure-skating/sotnikova-headline-field-nhk-trophy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sotnikova-headline-field-nhk-trophy
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/07/08/figure-skating/sotnikova-headline-field-nhk-trophy/#commentsTue, 08 Jul 2014 11:03:27 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=594589The epic 2013-14 season is behind us and it is onward to a new campaign, and in many ways a new era. The past year in skating saw Yuzuru Hanyu become the first Japanese man to win the Olympic gold medal and second to claim a world title, Yuna Kim robbed of a second gold, […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/07/08/figure-skating/sotnikova-headline-field-nhk-trophy/feed/9Time for ISU, Cinquanta to answer for sham in Sochihttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/03/25/figure-skating/time-for-isu-cinquanta-to-answer-for-sham-in-sochi/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=time-for-isu-cinquanta-to-answer-for-sham-in-sochi
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/03/25/figure-skating/time-for-isu-cinquanta-to-answer-for-sham-in-sochi/#commentsTue, 25 Mar 2014 12:55:49 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=541576Good news arrived on Friday with the announcement that the Korean Olympic Committee and Korean Skating Union will file a formal complaint about the judging in the women’s free skate at the Sochi Games last month which saw defending Olympic champion Yuna Kim robbed of a second gold medal. The grievance will be lodged with […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/03/25/figure-skating/time-for-isu-cinquanta-to-answer-for-sham-in-sochi/feed/14Worlds better held before Olympics as a qualifierhttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/03/18/figure-skating/worlds-better-held-before-olympics-as-a-qualifier/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=worlds-better-held-before-olympics-as-a-qualifier
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/03/18/figure-skating/worlds-better-held-before-olympics-as-a-qualifier/#commentsTue, 18 Mar 2014 13:04:04 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=538808Is a post-Olympic worlds really worthwhile? This is the question on the minds of a great many people these days, especially in light of the fact that four of the six singles medalists will not be participating in next week’s world championships in Saitama. Russia’s Adelina Sotnikova and Yuna Kim will bypass the event, along […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/03/18/figure-skating/worlds-better-held-before-olympics-as-a-qualifier/feed/0IOC deserting duty with failure to act on skating scandalhttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/24/olympics-figure-skating/ioc-deserting-duty-with-failure-to-act-on-skating-scandal/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ioc-deserting-duty-with-failure-to-act-on-skating-scandal
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/24/olympics-figure-skating/ioc-deserting-duty-with-failure-to-act-on-skating-scandal/#commentsMon, 24 Feb 2014 13:22:25 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=528878IOC president Thomas Bach seemed to dismiss concerns about the huge controversy caused by the judging in the women’s singles at the Sochi Games at a news conference on Sunday. When asked about the issue, Bach pawned it off on the International Skating Union and acted like it was no big deal. Really? “If there […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/24/olympics-figure-skating/ioc-deserting-duty-with-failure-to-act-on-skating-scandal/feed/14Mao’s inflexibility hurt medal chanceshttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/23/olympics-figure-skating/maos-inflexibility-hurt-medal-chances/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=maos-inflexibility-hurt-medal-chances
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/23/olympics-figure-skating/maos-inflexibility-hurt-medal-chances/#commentsSun, 23 Feb 2014 11:12:03 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=528286“If things continue as they are, it could all end in tears without a silver medal this time. Maybe without any medal.” Ice Time — Dec. 27, 2013 Sometimes in life people can be their own worst enemy. Refusing to take advice, tuning out what they don’t want to hear, ignoring reality. This formula usually […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/23/olympics-figure-skating/maos-inflexibility-hurt-medal-chances/feed/7Controversy rages on after Kim denied second Olympic goldhttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/22/olympics-figure-skating/controversy-rages-on-after-kim-denied-second-olympic-gold/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=controversy-rages-on-after-kim-denied-second-olympic-gold
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/22/olympics-figure-skating/controversy-rages-on-after-kim-denied-second-olympic-gold/#commentsSat, 22 Feb 2014 13:32:17 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=527988Two days after the shocking decision that gave Russia’s Adelina Sotnikova the gold medal over defending Olympic champion Yuna Kim, the controversy surrounding the move shows no signs of abating. News sites around the world were buzzing with reaction to the decision on Thursday night, which saw Kim deprived of a second straight gold in […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/22/olympics-figure-skating/controversy-rages-on-after-kim-denied-second-olympic-gold/feed/5Scandalous outcome: Skating judges steal Kim’s title, hand it to Sotnikovahttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/21/olympics-figure-skating/scandalous-outcome-skating-judges-steal-kims-title-hand-it-to-sotnikova/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=scandalous-outcome-skating-judges-steal-kims-title-hand-it-to-sotnikova
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/21/olympics-figure-skating/scandalous-outcome-skating-judges-steal-kims-title-hand-it-to-sotnikova/#commentsFri, 21 Feb 2014 13:33:59 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=527594Yuna Kim got robbed on Thursday night. Plain and simple. What happened to her at the Sochi Games was a complete and utter disgrace. Another black eye for figure skating. The elegant and magnetic South Korean superstar gave a wonderful performance in very difficult circumstances, not making a single mistake, yet came away with only […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/21/olympics-figure-skating/scandalous-outcome-skating-judges-steal-kims-title-hand-it-to-sotnikova/feed/28Kim primed for shot at second goldhttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/19/olympics-figure-skating/kim-primed-for-shot-at-second-gold/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kim-primed-for-shot-at-second-gold
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/19/olympics-figure-skating/kim-primed-for-shot-at-second-gold/#commentsTue, 18 Feb 2014 15:15:29 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=525996Yuna Kim went through another seemingly effortless practice on Tuesday afternoon at the training rink next to the Iceberg Skating Palace. The South Korean star was smooth in every sense of the word, landing jump after jump and gliding across the ice as she went through her free skate to “Adios Nonino.” Kim also worked […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/19/olympics-figure-skating/kim-primed-for-shot-at-second-gold/feed/0Mao’s path to gold difficult, but not impossiblehttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/18/olympics-figure-skating/maos-path-to-gold-difficult-but-not-impossible/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=maos-path-to-gold-difficult-but-not-impossible
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/18/olympics-figure-skating/maos-path-to-gold-difficult-but-not-impossible/#commentsMon, 17 Feb 2014 16:45:07 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=525376Mao Asada returned to practice here on Sunday following several days of training in Yerevan, Armenia. Mao trained for 40 minutes at the Iceberg Skating Palace along with teammates Akiko Suzuki, Kanako Murakami and three other skaters. Mao and Suzuki worked on their free skates, while Murakami went through her short program during the session. […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/18/olympics-figure-skating/maos-path-to-gold-difficult-but-not-impossible/feed/1Canada’s Chan dignified in defeathttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/16/olympics-figure-skating/canadas-chan-dignified-in-defeat/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=canadas-chan-dignified-in-defeat
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/16/olympics-figure-skating/canadas-chan-dignified-in-defeat/#commentsSun, 16 Feb 2014 13:11:20 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=524754Canada’s Patrick Chan held a press conference on Saturday, the day after settling for the silver medal behind Yuzuru Hanyu. The three-time defending world champion is handling the disappointment remarkably well. “I am lucky I have people and my girlfriend to talk to,” he said. “I have a great entourage that always has my back.” […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/16/olympics-figure-skating/canadas-chan-dignified-in-defeat/feed/0Olympic champion Hanyu embraces role as hero to millionshttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/15/olympics-figure-skating/olympic-champion-hanyu-embraces-role-as-hero-to-millions/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=olympic-champion-hanyu-embraces-role-as-hero-to-millions
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/15/olympics-figure-skating/olympic-champion-hanyu-embraces-role-as-hero-to-millions/#commentsSat, 15 Feb 2014 14:02:58 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=524353It was not as majestic as it could have been, but the morning after the reality is that Yuzuru Hanyu is the Olympic champion. Hanyu struggled through his free skate at the Iceberg Skating Palace on Friday night, but emerged victorious after Canada’s Patrick Chan was unable to seize the moment. After Hanyu’s second fall, […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/15/olympics-figure-skating/olympic-champion-hanyu-embraces-role-as-hero-to-millions/feed/0Hanyu favored to win Olympic goldhttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/13/olympics-figure-skating/hanyu-favored-to-win-olympic-gold/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hanyu-favored-to-win-olympic-gold
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/13/olympics-figure-skating/hanyu-favored-to-win-olympic-gold/#commentsThu, 13 Feb 2014 14:50:24 +0000http://www.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=522891Yuzuru Hanyu has impressed skating analysts with his performance in the short program in the team event and his official practices since arriving in Sochi. How much? Enough that several, including 2010 gold medalist Evan Lysacek of the United States, believe the Sendai native is the favorite for the gold medal in men’s singles starting […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/13/olympics-figure-skating/hanyu-favored-to-win-olympic-gold/feed/1Questions follow high scores for Plushenko, Lipnitskaiahttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/12/olympics-figure-skating/questions-follow-high-scores-for-plushenko-lipnitskaia/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=questions-follow-high-scores-for-plushenko-lipnitskaia
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/12/olympics-figure-skating/questions-follow-high-scores-for-plushenko-lipnitskaia/#commentsTue, 11 Feb 2014 18:49:23 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=522288In the wake of the judging scandal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, figure skating has done its best to revamp its scoring system. It’s not perfect by any means, but seems much fairer than before. Nevertheless, there are many in international media who think that Russia’s Evgeni Plushenko and Julia Lipnitskaia were the […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/12/olympics-figure-skating/questions-follow-high-scores-for-plushenko-lipnitskaia/feed/1Team event good concept, but could be even betterhttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/10/olympics-figure-skating/team-event-good-concept-but-could-be-even-better/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=team-event-good-concept-but-could-be-even-better
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/10/olympics-figure-skating/team-event-good-concept-but-could-be-even-better/#commentsMon, 10 Feb 2014 13:58:50 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=521743The inaugural Olympic team skating event, which Russia won on Sunday night, appears to have been a great success. The new concept was well received by both fans and media. Japan finished a disappointing fifth following subpar performances by Mao Asada, Akiko Suzuki and Tatsuki Machida, and will need to improve to be competitive in […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/10/olympics-figure-skating/team-event-good-concept-but-could-be-even-better/feed/0Mao gets to work in Sochi; expected to skate in team eventhttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/06/olympics-figure-skating/mao-gets-to-work-in-sochi-expected-to-skate-in-team-event/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mao-gets-to-work-in-sochi-expected-to-skate-in-team-event
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/06/olympics-figure-skating/mao-gets-to-work-in-sochi-expected-to-skate-in-team-event/#commentsThu, 06 Feb 2014 14:26:03 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=519388Mao Asada completed her first practice at the Iceberg Skating Palace on Thursday morning ahead of the start of the team event this evening. The two-time world champion and 2010 Olympic silver medalist was pleased following her workout. “I was very happy to catch the feeling on the ice straight away,” Mao said. “I didn’t […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/06/olympics-figure-skating/mao-gets-to-work-in-sochi-expected-to-skate-in-team-event/feed/0Hanyu to skate first for Japan in team eventhttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/06/olympics-figure-skating/hanyu-receives-singles-assignment-for-team-competition/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hanyu-receives-singles-assignment-for-team-competition
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/06/olympics-figure-skating/hanyu-receives-singles-assignment-for-team-competition/#commentsThu, 06 Feb 2014 04:25:47 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=518961Grand Prix Final champion Yuzuru Hanyu will represent Japan in the men’s singles portion of the inaugural Olympic Games figure skating team competition it was revealed on Wednesday. Hanyu, who beat three-time defending world champion Patrick Chan of Canada in the GP Final in Fukuoka in December, will be the final skater to take the […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/02/06/olympics-figure-skating/hanyu-receives-singles-assignment-for-team-competition/feed/0Murakami surging toward Sochi with style, confidencehttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/01/28/figure-skating/murakami-surging-toward-sochi-with-style-confidence/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=murakami-surging-toward-sochi-with-style-confidence
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/01/28/figure-skating/murakami-surging-toward-sochi-with-style-confidence/#commentsTue, 28 Jan 2014 11:02:57 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=514603When you work in this business, there is nothing more rewarding than watching an athlete truly come into their own. When the point of critical mass is reached, the individual begins to fully realize their full potential with strong performances and their confidence soars, making them able to achieve greatness. This is what we are […]

]]>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/01/28/figure-skating/murakami-surging-toward-sochi-with-style-confidence/feed/0Outrage follows decision to leave Nagasu off U.S. teamhttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/01/17/figure-skating/outrage-follows-decision-to-leave-nagasu-off-u-s-team/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=outrage-follows-decision-to-leave-nagasu-off-u-s-team
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/01/17/figure-skating/outrage-follows-decision-to-leave-nagasu-off-u-s-team/#commentsFri, 17 Jan 2014 10:30:00 +0000http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&p=509742“To sin by silence when we should protest makes cowards out of men.” — Ella Wheeler Wilcox The opening quote from Oliver Stone’s 1991 movie “JFK” by the American author and poet comes to mind as the uproar over Mirai Nagasu being left off the United States team for the Sochi Games continues to grow. […]